Turkish Baths Roof Emergency Work.
This update on the ongoing work on Milton Road baths, AKA, the health hydro, comes via the Friends of the Health Hydro and Swindon Borough Council.
The Turkish Baths, in the Health Hydro in Milton Road, are the oldest Victorian Turkish Baths still operating. They’ll be closed for a while longer when the building is reopened, because of the work being carried out on the roof.
Investment
Thanks to investment from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, specialist conservation teams are beginning work to improve the roof of the Turkish Baths Relaxation Room. This essential phase will safeguard the structure. It’ll prevent further water ingress. Thus ensuring the restoration and upgrade of the interior in a future stage of works.
Phase one works to transform the main entrance, gym, changing rooms and plant areas are nearing completion. Meanwhile, the improvements to restore the Turkish Baths will take longer. That means the baths will not reopen along with the fitness area, changing rooms and main pool in early 2026.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: ‘The Turkish Baths are so iconic. That’s why it’s important we take the time to do this refurbishment as it should be done. Ensuring the roof is weatherproof and secure will be key to making improvements to the interior possible.
‘I’m sad that the baths won’t be reopening along with the gym and the pool. But we’re working hard on funding and refurbishment plans to reopen them as soon as possible.’
Swindon Borough Council has now received planning permission for a second phase of works. This will focus on the main pool and include improvements to the ventilation, accessibility and environmental performance of the main swimming area. All alongside further conservation and restoration work.
The council is working hard to find and secure funding for it.
Barnaby Rich, Swindon Partnership Manager at GLL, the charitable social enterprise that operates the Health Hydro added: “We’re supportive of SBC’s efforts to restore and revitalise the Health Hydro. And the phased approach to what are complex renovations.
‘Restoring the roof of the Turkish Baths relaxation room is an important first step. One which will then enable interior works to take place in due course.’
With the phase one works finishing soon, the Health Hydro will reopen to the public early in 2026. The council and GLL will share more details soon.
https://www.swindon.gov.uk/news/article/1276/work_to_improve_historic_turkish_baths_underway
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